Kale has always been associated as healthy green vegetables. Most people consume it as steamed kale, salad, or light stir fry to maintain the nutrients, yet improve the taste. However, recently people are buzzing over the healthy kale chip.
Wait, how can chip be healthy? Does it usually contain high sodium and isn’t it fried? It seems that make kale into chip will just ruin the nutritional value of kale. On the other hand, some people disagree if kale chips ruin the nutritional value in kale. It is because kale chips are commonly baked instead of fried.
The baking process is claimed to be able in preserving the nutrients contained by kale. In addition, it will not add bad cholesterol content on kale. And actually, we can also make it at home to get more benefits of homemade kale chips.
Nutritional Value Of Kale Chips
kale chips are claimed to be healthy snacking option as it contains varied beneficial nutrients. Here are some of the nutritional value contained by home made kale chips made by adding salt and olive oil to the chopped fresh kale.
- Protein
- Carbohydrate
- Dietary fiber
- Fat
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Thiamin
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Vitamin K
- Iron
- Calcium
So, it is clear that homemade kale chips are able to provide benefits for your health.
The Health Benefits Of Homemade Kale Chips
We can say that homemade food is healthier than any manufactured food, for example, we can take more Benefits of Homemade Sausage and Health Benefits of Homemade Meatloaf . It is because we can control the preparation process. in addition, we can also customize the food based on our need of nutrition. We can also avoid including some ingredients which is not needed by ourselves. So, here are some of the benefits of homemade kale chips:
- Maintain weight
Snacking is something we can nearly avoid, especially for those who working late. It is because snacking while working can keep us awake and supply energy for our brain to work. However, snacking without proper exercise will double the risk of gaining weight. But how about low calories snack? It is help? The answer is yes.
For example, you can choose homemade kale chips. Eating homemade kale chips is able to satisfy your need of snacking yet keeping your weight in check. So, substitute those high calories snack in your jars with the low-calorie homemade kale chips.
- Improve eyesight
Kale, just like the other green vegetable is beneficial for its vitamin A. For instance, we can take the Health Benefits of Spinach. And just like spinach, kale contain excellent level of vitamin A, even when it is consumed as baked kale chips.
So, consuming kale chips is able to help you in protecting your eyes and even improve your eyesight. Thanks to the antioxidant properties in vitamin A. It can also reduce the risk of developing eye diseases such as cataract and the age-related macular degeneration.
- Good for heart health
Kale contains zero bad cholesterol and trans fat. As we know, bad cholesterol and trans fat are the most potential enemies for heart. In the other words, we can say that kale contains no harm for heart health. this way, we can consume homemade kale chips as healthy snacking option which support the health of heart.
In addition, the antioxidant in kale chips and olive oil with its Health Benefits of Olive Oil as one of the ingredients in making homemade kale chips is able to protect heart from any diseases.Â
- Improve immune system
besides vitamin A, kale also contains good amount of vitamin C. it is such a help to improve our immune system. A study concluded that consuming a cup of kale chips can fulfill your vitamin C daily need to support the immune system.
- Reduce the risk of cancer
Kale is enriched with excellent natural antioxidants. As we know, antioxidants can protect our body from the effect of aging and some harmful diseases. But one of the most valuable benefits of kale chips especially the homemade kale chips is that antioxidant in kale is able to reduce the risk of cancer.
- Keep the bones healthy
The vitamins and minerals in kale can support bone health very well. Vitamin C in Kale even when it is baked into crispy kale chips is able to repairs cartilage which support the health of our bones. Not only bones, cartilage also deal with skin, ligaments, and tendons. In addition, vitamin A in kale is not only good for eyes, but also very healthy for skeleton and tissues.
- Normal blood clotting
Kale is potential source of vitamin K. as we know, vitamin K takes a big role in blood clotting function. It helps us to have proper blood clotting system. The normal blood clotting system will avoid us from getting some health problems.Â
The other benefits of homemade kale chips are:
- Good for skin health
- Gluten free
- Reduce inflammation
How to Make Homemade Kale Chips
Crispy and salty snacks such as potato chips might always be tempting. But you know that it is not healthy for the high calories and too much sodium in it. But don’t worry, you can still satisfy your craving of crispy snack by consuming healthy homemade kale chips. Well, isn’t it widely available at store? The answer is yes.
You can get packed kale chips easily from the store. However, isn’t it far better if you can make it on your own? So, here is the recommendation about how to make homemade kale chips to get the benefits of homemade kale chips.
You need no more than an hour in the kitchen to prepare and get your kale chips ready. First, prepare 1 head of fresh kale. Wash it and make sure it is dried thoroughly. Then, prepare 1 tablespoons of olive oil and sea salt for the sprinkle. Sea salt may also provide you with the addition Health Benefits of Sea Salt.
To make the crispy kale chips, you need to preheat the oven to about 275 degrees F. while waiting for the oven, remove the kale ribs, and cut kale into 1.5-inch pieces. Lay it on a baking sheet and toss with the olive oil and salt. When the oven is ready, bake it and don’t forget to turn the leaves halfway through. Your crispy homemade kale chips will be ready in 20 minutes. Do not cook kale for too long as it may lose the nutrients if it is overcooked.